At a hearing Wednesday at the Oklahoma County Courthouse to determine if there is enough evidence for Dr. William Valuk to stand trial, one of nine counts of murder against the former Oklahoma City doctor was dropped, as well as 15 other counts of distribution of a controlled substance. He was originally charged with 81 crimes, including nine murders.

A number of family members in the courtroom at Wednesday’s hearing were visibly upset by testimony about the deaths of their loved ones. Investigators say at least eight of Valuck’s patients died because he prescribed dangerous and addictive drugs without a legitimate medical need.

Ronald Blanton died after Dustin Hall, one of Valuck’s patients, crashed into Blanton's vehicle on Dec. 9, 2013, while on prescription drugs. Wednesday the charge against Valuck for Blanton’s death was dropped, as well as other drug distribution counts, per request of the state without an explanation in open court.

The investigation into Valuck began February 2012 when the Drug Enforcement Administration was looking into the overprescribing of another doctor he worked with at Vista Medical Clinic at 3700 S. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City. Valuck moved to Advanced Care Clinic, at 6501 S. Western Ave., in November 2012.

Investigators say Valuck spent most of his career as an emergency room doctor in the Purcell area, but after going into private practice, he became the top prescription-drug prescriber in the state. In 2013, he wrote 12,000 more prescriptions than any other doctor.

DEA investigator Mary Surovec testified she saw "van loads" of people pull up to see the doctor” during the investigation.

He wrote so many prescriptions for the same powerful painkillers, area Walgreens pharmacies refused to fill his prescriptions, saying, "Good faith determined that the prescriptions were issued for other than legitimate medical reasons." A doctor who reviewed the medical records Valuck kept shared that opinion.

Investigators say Valuk only took cash at his practice, charging first-time patients $250.

The investigation into Valuck ended in his arrest in December 2013 at his East Texas home. The state board said he surrendered his medical license weeks earlier.

The doctor's public defender calls the case one of the biggest in the courthouse, stating it will set a legal precedent.

The evidentiary hearing continues Thursday to determine if he will stand trial for the eight deaths and 58 other drug-related counts.